Theme: ARTIFICIAL LIFE, VIRTUAL REALITY, AND REAL ROBOTS.
Areas: computer science, mechanical and electrical engineering.
Introduction broadcast: 17 and 24 february 1995.
Pannel broadcast: 10 march 1995.
Advances in computer science and mechanical and electrical engineering have made it possible to construct artificial systems of great complexity. This complexity is such that simple linear control systems or hierarchical pre-programmed designs are no longer adequate. At the same time there are pressures to build artificial systems that exhibit autonomy and adaptation to the environment. Using concepts from biology (such as genetic evolution) and from complexity theory, a new range of fascinating artefacts are currently under construction which make the distinction between natural living systems and engineered non-living systems more blurred. These techniques exploit chaotic dynamics and self-organisation as discovered in natural systems.
The program shows images illustrating the current state of the art in building autonomous robots and in creating virtual worlds in a `cyberspace'. Techniques to program computers by genetic mechanisms are explained and illustrated. The wider societal implications of autonomous robots and artificial life are discussed.
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